Machiavelli on Syria

I try to stay on top of the news, especially events with such high stakes outcomes as the possible U.S. military intervention into Syria.  That notwithstanding, I am not well-versed enough in all matters Syria and the Middle East to play armchair QB and critique President Obama, Secretary of State Kerry, Congress, the main stream media, etc. about Syria (I will however critique Kerry about his heavy Botox usage - WTH?!?).  I am not going to write a blog post where I offer solutions and suggestions to such complex issues and quagmires.  However, I did come across something that got the gears in my head turning today in regards to Syria.

I was reading the book Tribal Leadership, and it contains an excerpt from The Prince, a political treatise first published in 1532 and written by the oft-historically maligned Machiavelli.  The quote reads as follows, "Well committed atrocities are committed once so one may establish oneself.  Poorly committed atrocities are done at first sparingly, then more and more.  Therefore, one taking a state must commit all the atrocities at the beginning."

Reports show Assad has committed unspeakable atrocities that crossed President Obama's virtual line in the sand which is akin to dipping your toe in the water to test it out. If Assad is not reprimanded, what is to stop him from unleashing chemical warfare "first sparingly, then more and more"? 

Conversely, President Obama has touted a military action that he foresees as being "limited in duration and scope".  Hmmm, sounds like the President wants to "establish himself" by "committing once" to swift and decisive action. 

While I see both sides of the coin on whether or not the United States should intervene, I couldn't help but think of how Niccolo di Bernardo dei Machiavelli's words from over 500 years ago pretty much sum up the situation. 

Lastly, I am going to broach Tupac because how can I write a few quick blurbs about Machiavelli without mentioning his hip-hop disciple?